A frantic teenager was locked up overnight after trying to save his mum from their blazing home in Middlesbrough.

Darren Hogg was quizzed in connection with a public order offence after becoming distressed outside the flat at Gilmonby Road, Park End, last night. The 19-year-old was released early today and said he had discovered about 8.30pm that a discarded cigarette had set fire to the lounge.

Despite numerous attempts with help from his neighbours, he was unable to reach his mum, Sharon Sykes, who was asleep in her bedroom.

"We managed to kick the door down but couldn't get to her room, even by crawling on the floor," he said.

"We went in several times but just couldn't manage to reach her for the thick, black smoke."

The fire brigade rushed to rescue the 43-year-old from the ground floor flat.

But Darren explained that after they carried her to safety she had become agitated and when paramedics arrived, she threatened them with violence.

"I tried to explain that she doesn't like having things over her face so didn't like the mask and she didn't like being crowded. I was trying to calm her down but she was just really upset and confused.

"It was really frightening and she was given no breathing space. I got upset and ended being arrested and I stayed in the cells overnight."

Darren received a penalty notice for the offence.

He and his mum had been out drinking prior to the fire at their home. Their dog Benjy ran off from the burning house but was found later by neighbours.

Police confirmed his mum was arrested "for her own safety" but was released at 10am today.

Two appliances from Middlesbrough Fire Station attended the scene and used one jet hose, four breathing apparatus and a ventilation fan to tackle the blaze.

Watch manager Frank Sweeney said: "When we rescued her she was confused and thought her dog was still in the flat but we carried out a thorough search and could not find it.

"We tried treating her and then the ambulance crew tried. Paramedics were then threatened with violence and we had to call the police and she was arrested."

The front room was gutted by the fire and the rest of the flat suffered smoke damage.